Plant Conservation: What's Happening to our Plant Species

Plants are a vital part of our community. Today, habitat loss, disease, climate change and agricultural practices are diminishing our plant populations. Today 21% of our plants are at risk of extinction. We are modifying great tracts of land which changes entire ecosystems, irreparably damaging the biosphere.

Researchers feel preservation of biodiversity is a very complex issue. Forests are more valuable to preserve than the value and practices of mono crop farming. The question becomes: what roles do the living non-human species have in our lives as a whole? How can we take more responsibility over our actions which impact plant species? Plants are not emotionally cuddly like pandas or dolphins, yet are just as important.

Susan Leopold, president of United Plant Savers here in the US, is interviewed. She reminds us that while seed saving is necessary and worthwhile some plants reproduce in other ways. Therefore, diverse landscapes help us preserve those species.

I hope you will look at your yards and community more closely? What is happening to protect species? Can we look at and discuss other options as development encroaches on our wild places? I hope so. Communities are saving seeds, developing food share programs, building gardens in schoolyards. Roof top gardens are blossoming in major cities and of course, conservation efforts continue like those of United Plant Savers.

I’ve been watching a large tract of land in my neighborhood being developed into housing. The forest is mostly gone. We happen to have a lot of oaks in this area. One oak can support over 400 species…now most are gone. I am sure many of you have similar observations. I hope this video is inspiring to take some action to help preserve species. My book, At the Garden’s Gate listed above, shows you how to turn lawn into a more natural diverse landscape.

Enjoy. Your comments are always welcome. Judith